Next-gen Renault Duster to be petrol-only model in India - Report

It is no news that the second-gen Renault Duster already on sale internationally is going to be skipped for India. Our market will directly get the third-gen model, and according to a new report, this model won't be offered with a diesel engine.

The third-generation Renault Duster could be offered with a diesel engine in other markets if feasible. Second-gen model pictured.

India will lead the development of the third-gen Renault Duster, which will be produced in a number of countries around the globe including Brazil, Colombia, Russia and Indonesia. In India, it will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan Alliance production facility in Chennai, from where it will likely be exported to many markets worldwide. The launch could take place around 2023.

The report says that the third-gen Renault Duster will be sold in India with only petrol engines. Customers preferring diesel engines for higher fuel efficiency and/or longer range may be targeted with mild-hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid variant(s). A pure electric variant is also possible. The level of electrification would largely depend on the needs of the European markets. The petrol engine line-up in India will include a turbocharged unit, possibly a 1.2L TCe four-cylinder unit, and a cheaper, naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit. Elsewhere, a diesel engine could be offered if feasible.

The third-gen Renault Duster will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan alliance production facility in Chennai, India.

Groupe Renault's CEO Thierry Bolloré has said that India is a key market for the company and the sales here are expected to double as soon as by 2021. The company hopes to achieve this feat with the contribution of its upcoming models such as the facelifted Kwid, the first-ever Triber and HBC sub-4 metre SUV due next year and of course the once-again-facelifted first-gen Duster arriving around this Diwali. By March 2020, the company may stop offering diesel engine models in India completely if upgrading the 1.5L dCi mill to BS-VI standards proves to be too costly.